The story

The next attorney general must carry enough stature to push White House anti-terrorism policies, combined with the charm and credibility to win over congressional Democrats, a former Justice Department official said.

Facing congressional investigations into a secret wiretapping program and the firing of eight prosecutors, U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales announced his resignation Monday after months of bipartisan calls for him to step down.

"The Justice Department has been essentially paralyzed for more than a year," CNN legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin said. "If this administration wants to accomplish anything before President Bush's term ends in 17 months, they need a credible attorney general." Read full article »